Unique dispensing carton

ABSTRACT

A parallelepiped dispensing carton for stacked and/or interfolded sheet materials is disclosed. The carton has a top wall, a bottom wall, and at least one side wall. The container is formed from a fibrous structure having an opacity ranging from about 5.0 to about 45.0.

PRIORITY DATA

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/493,190 filed Jun. 11, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to dispensing packages and cartons forstacked and/or interfolded sheet materials such as facial tissues. Moreparticularly, this disclosure pertains to packages and cartons having aneco-friendly environmental footprint and an improved tactile feel thatare configured to dispense stacked and interfolded sheets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Packages for containing and dispensing stacked and/or interleaved sheetmaterials are generally formed from carton board cartons and other rigidmaterials. These cartons are common in everyday use and are found in aplurality of bathrooms and other rooms with in the household. Thesepaperboard or carton board constructions are usually rigid parallelpipedconstructions with graphics printed upon the outer surfaces thereof.Most consumers will state that these cartons are hard, smooth-surfaced,have fixed graphics, and are frankly, boring.

Typically, such cartons are provided and formed from a blank shown madefrom foldable paperboard or similar sheet-like material. The containerstypically have a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposed lateral sidepanels. All panels are hingedly connected along parallel horizontal foldlines. The blank is typically adapted to be folded into a rectangulartubular configuration and as such comprises a typical end-load carton.

The top surface of the traditional carton has formed therein a panelwhich is defined by an endless line of separation and which is adaptedto be removed by breaking that frangible line of separation in aconventional manner. The end closures of the carton are formed byinwardly foldable closure flaps. This can include minor flaps connectedto the side panels of the carton at the opposite ends of the side panel.These end flaps, or minor flaps, each can be provided with a cut-awayportion to allow exposure of a portion of the major flaps that arehingedly attached to the opposite ends of the top surface along thehinge lines. These major flaps are foldable downwardly over the ends ofthe carton and completely cover the ends of the carton. The carton blankmay be assembled in any conventional manner. A glue flap can be providedalong one lateral edge and connected along a hinge line to the bottomsurface to serve as a manufacturer's glue flap.

Such cartons can generally be divided into two principal types. Thefirst type enables stacked and interfolded sheets to “pop-up” todispense through an opening in the top wall of the carton. Such pop-updispensers provide partial withdrawal of the next successive tissue uponpulling sheets out one at a time from the carton. The second type ofcarton facilitates dispensing of a stack of sheets that are generallynot interfolded by providing an opening in one at least one of thecarton walls to enable a user to reach into the carton and remove one ormore of the sheets at a time. This latter type of carton is commonlyknown as a “reach-in” carton. Typically, a reach-in carton does notfacilitate “pop-up” dispensing of successive sheets. Such containers areprovided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,144,961 and 3,272,385.

Frankly, innovation in the carton art has been rather stagnant untilnow.

Thus, it would be understood by one of skill in the art that it would beclearly beneficial to provide a carton for dispensing stacked and/orinterleaved sheet materials, such as facial tissues that provides nodrawback from the current manner in which consumers dispense thematerial disposed therein, but is produced from a limited amount ofresources thus decreasing the environmental footprint of the carton.Eliminating such non-decomposable packaging materials would indeedrequire fewer manufacturing steps and be eco-friendly by not requiringadditional natural resource materials.

Further it would be understood by one of skill in the art that it wouldbe clearly beneficial to provide a carton for dispensing stacked and/orinterleaved sheet materials, such as facial tissues that provides theconsumer with a more ergonomic container having a better tactile feelthan currently marketed paperboard containers. It would also beunderstood by one of skill in the art that it would be clearlybeneficial to provide a carton for dispensing stacked and/or interleavedsheet materials, such as facial tissues that reduces the environmentalfootprint by reducing the environmental footprint at the time ofdisposal

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides for a parallelepiped dispensing cartonfor stacked and/or interfolded sheet materials. The carton has a topwall, a bottom wall, and at least one side wall. The container is formedfrom a fibrous structure having an opacity ranging from about 5.0 toabout 45.0.

The present disclosure also provides for a container having a top wall,a bottom wall, and at least one side wall. The container is formed froma fibrous structure. The two side walls have a flexural rigidity rangingfrom about 1.4 N*mm to about 200 N*/mm and at least one of the walls hasan opacity ranging from about 5.0 to about 45.0.

The present disclosure further provides for a container having a topwall, a bottom wall, and at least one side wall. The container is formedfrom a material comprising a fibrous structure bonded to a filmmaterial. The material has an opacity/caliper value ranging from about3.8 to about 16.0.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a carton ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the packaging material suitable forforming the carton of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the carton of FIG. 1 taken along theline 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of mathematically expressedequations for exemplary laminated and non-laminated structures wherex=Compression Pressure and y=Normalized Compression Caliper; and,

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of mathematically expressedequations for exemplary laminated and non-laminated structures wherex=Relaxation Pressure and y=Normalized Relaxation Caliper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides for a material suitable for theformation of cartoning useful for containing sanitary tissue products.The material generally comprises a fibrous structure laminated to a filmhaving high bulk and loft on to the fibrous structure layer to form acomposite fabric.

“Basis Weight” as used herein is the weight per unit area of a samplereported in lbs/3000 ft² or g/m² (gsm) and is measured according to theBasis Weight Test Method described herein described herein.

“Caliper” as used herein means the macroscopic thickness of a fibrousstructure. Caliper is measured according to the Caliper Test Methoddescribed herein described herein.

“Co-formed fibrous structure(s)” provide for a fibrous structure tocomprise a mixture of at least two different materials. At least one ofthe materials comprises a filament, such as a polypropylene filament,and at least one other material, different from the first material,comprises a solid additive, such as a fiber and/or a particulate. In oneexample, a co-formed fibrous structure comprises solid additives, suchas fibers, such as wood pulp fibers, and filaments, such aspolypropylene filaments.

“Cross Machine Direction” or “CD” as used herein means the directionparallel to the width of the fibrous structure making machine and/orsanitary tissue product manufacturing equipment and perpendicular to themachine direction.

“Density” as used herein is calculated as the quotient of the BasisWeight of a fibrous structure expressed in gsm divided by the Caliper ofthe fibrous structure expressed in microns. The resulting Density of afibrous structure is expressed as g/cm³.

As used herein, a “fibrous structure” is a structure that comprises oneor more filaments and/or fibers suitable for producing cartoning usefulfor containing sanitary tissue products. In one non-limiting example, afibrous structure can be an orderly arrangement of filaments and/orfibers within a structure that perform a function. Non-limiting examplesof fibrous structures may include paper and/or fabrics (e.g., includingwoven, knitted, and non-woven structures).

Non-limiting examples of processes for making fibrous structures includewet-laid processes, air-laid processes, spun-bond processes, weavingprocesses, melt-blown processes, and extrusion processes. Some processesmay include steps of preparing a fiber composition in the form of asuspension in a medium, either wet, more specifically aqueous medium, ordry, more specifically gaseous, i.e. with air as medium. The aqueousmedium used for wet-laid processes is oftentimes referred to as a fiberslurry. The fibrous slurry is then used to deposit a plurality of fibersonto a forming wire or belt such that an embryonic fibrous structure isformed, after which drying and/or bonding the fibers together results ina fibrous structure. Further processing the fibrous structure may becarried out such that a finished fibrous structure is formed. Forexample, in typical papermaking processes, the finished fibrousstructure is the fibrous structure that is wound on the reel at the endof papermaking, and may subsequently be converted into a finishedproduct, e.g. a sanitary tissue product.

Fibrous structures may be homogeneous or may be layered. If layered, thefibrous structures may comprise at least two and/or at least threeand/or at least four and/or at least five layers. Fibrous structures mayalso be co-formed fibrous structures.

A “fiber” and/or “filament” is an elongate particulate having anapparent length greatly exceeding its apparent width (e.g., an aspectratio of greater than 1). For purposes of the present disclosure, a“fiber” can be an elongate particulate that exhibits a length of lessthan 5.08 cm (2 in.) and a “filament” can be an elongate particulatethat exhibits a length of greater than or equal to 5.08 cm (2 in.).

Fibers are typically considered discontinuous in nature. Non-limitingexamples of fibers include wood pulp fibers and synthetic staple fiberssuch as polyester fibers.

Filaments are typically considered continuous or substantiallycontinuous in nature. Filaments are relatively longer than fibers.Non-limiting examples of filaments include melt-blown and/or spun-bondfilaments. Non-limiting examples of materials that can be spun intofilaments include natural polymers, such as starch, starch derivatives,cellulose and cellulose derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulosederivatives, and synthetic polymers including, but not limited topolyvinyl alcohol filaments and/or polyvinyl alcohol derivativefilaments, and thermoplastic polymer filaments, such as polyesters,nylons, polyolefins such as polypropylene filaments, polyethylenefilaments, and biodegradable or compostable thermoplastic fibers such aspolylactic acid filaments, polyhydroxyalkanoate filaments andpolycaprolactone filaments. The filaments may be monocomponent ormulticomponent, such as bicomponent filaments.

In one non-limiting example, a “fiber” refers to papermaking fibers.Papermaking fibers useful in the present invention include cellulosicfibers commonly known as wood pulp fibers. Applicable wood pulps includechemical pulps, such as Kraft, sulfite, and sulfate pulps, as well asmechanical pulps including, for example, groundwood, thermomechanicalpulp and chemically modified thermomechanical pulp. Chemical pulps,however, may be preferred since they impart a superior tactile sense ofsoftness to tissue sheets made therefrom. Pulps derived from bothdeciduous trees (hereinafter, also referred to as “hardwood”) andconiferous trees (hereinafter, also referred to as “softwood”) may beutilized. The hardwood and softwood fibers can be blended, oralternatively, can be deposited in layers to provide a stratified web asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,300,981 and 3,994,771. Also applicable tothe present invention are fibers derived from recycled paper, which maycontain any or all of the above categories as well as other non-fibrousmaterials such as fillers and adhesives used to facilitate the originalpapermaking.

In addition to the various wood pulp fibers, other cellulosic fiberssuch as cotton linters, rayon, lyocell and bagasse can be used in thisinvention. Other sources of cellulose in the form of fibers or capableof being spun into fibers include grasses and grain sources.

“Film materials” is intended to include foils, polymer sheets,co-extrusions, laminates, and combinations thereof. Film materials arepreferably fabricated from a polymer that does not have adhesivecharacteristics, which may be made from homogeneous resins or blendsthereof. The properties of a selected film materials can include, thoughare not restricted to, combinations or degrees of being: porous,non-porous, microporous, gas or liquid permeable, non-permeable,hydrophilic, hydrophobic, hydroscopic, oleophilic, oleophobic, highcritical surface tension, low critical surface tension, surfacepre-textured, elastically yieldable, plastically yieldable, electricallyconductive, and electrically non-conductive. Such materials can behomogeneous or composition combinations.

Film materials may be made from homogeneous resins or blends thereof.Single or multiple layers within the film structure are contemplated,whether co-extruded, extrusion-coated, laminated or combined by otherknown means. The key attribute of the film material is that it beformable to produce protrusions and valleys. Useful resins include, butare not limited to, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride(PVDC), latex structures, nylon, etc. Polyolefins are generallypreferred due to their lower cost and ease of forming but are notnecessary to practice the invention. High density polyethylene (HDPE) ismost preferred to fabricate the film sheet. Other suitable materials tofabricate the film from include, but are not limited to, aluminum foil,coated (waxed, etc.) and uncoated paper, coated and uncoated wovens,scrims, meshes, nonwovens, and perforated or porous films, andcombinations thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, theflexible film sheet material is a formed film from about 0.0001 inch toabout 0.005 inches, more preferably about 0.001 inch thick film.

“Machine Direction” or “MD” as used herein means the direction parallelto the flow of the fibrous structure through the fibrous structuremaking machine and/or sanitary tissue product manufacturing equipment.

“Plies” as used herein means two or more individual, integral fibrousstructures disposed in a substantially contiguous, face-to-facerelationship with one another, forming a multi-ply fibrous structureand/or multi-ply sanitary tissue product. It is also contemplated thatan individual, integral fibrous structure can effectively form amulti-ply fibrous structure, for example, by being folded on itself.

“Ply” as used herein means an individual, integral fibrous structure.

“Sanitary tissue product” means a soft, low density (e.g., less thanabout 0.15 g/cm³) web useful as a wiping implement for post-urinary andpost-bowel movement cleaning (toilet tissue), for otorhinolaryngologicaldischarges (facial tissue), and multi-functional absorbent and cleaninguses (absorbent towels).

The sanitary tissue product may be segmented into individual segments ofsanitary tissue products having discrete lengths. These individualsegments of sanitary tissue products can then be folded upon itself andsubsequently stacked and/or interleaved. Such stacked and/or interleavedsanitary tissue products can then be inserted into appropriate packagingconsistent with the present disclosure. Packages for containing anddispensing stacked and/or interleaved sheet materials disposed insidecarton board cartons can generally be divided into two principal types.The first type enables stacked and interfolded sheets to “pop-up” todispense through an opening in the top wall of the carton. Such pop-updispensers provide partial withdrawal of the next successive tissue uponpulling sheets out one at a time from the carton. The second type ofcarton facilitates dispensing of a stack of sheets that are generallynot interfolded by providing an opening in one at least one of thecarton walls to enable a user to reach into the carton and remove one ormore of the sheets at a time. This latter type of carton is commonlyknown as a “reach-in” carton.

Alternatively, sanitary tissue products may be convolutely wound uponitself about a core or without a core to form a sanitary tissue productroll. Lines of perforation can be provided within the length of thewound product to facilitate separation of adjacent portions of theconvolutely wound sanitary tissue product.

In one non-limiting example, a sanitary tissue product may exhibit abasis weight of greater than 15 g/m² (9.2 lbs/3000 ft²) to about 120g/m² (73.8 lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 15 g/m² (9.2 lbs/3000 ft²) toabout 110 g/m² (67.7 lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 20 g/m² (12.3lbs/3000 ft²) to about 100 g/m² (61.5 lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 30g/m² (18.5 lbs/3000 ft²) to 90 g/m² (55.4 lbs/3000 ft²). In addition,the sanitary tissue products and/or fibrous structures of the presentinvention may exhibit a basis weight between about 40 g/m² (24.6lbs/3000 ft²) to about 120 g/m² (73.8 lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 50g/m² (30.8 lbs/3000 ft²) to about 110 g/m² (67.7 lbs/3000 ft²) and/orfrom about 55 g/m² (33.8 lbs/3000 ft²) to about 105 g/m² (64.6 lbs/3000ft²) and/or from about 60 g/m² (36.9 lbs/3000 ft²) to 100 g/m² (61.5lbs/3000 ft²).

In another non-limiting example, a sanitary tissue product may exhibit atotal dry tensile strength of greater than about 59 g/cm (150 g/in)and/or from about 78 g/cm (200 g/in) to about 394 g/cm (1000 g/in)and/or from about 98 g/cm (250 g/in) to about 335 g/cm (850 g/in). Inaddition, the sanitary tissue product of the present invention mayexhibit a total dry tensile strength of greater than about 196 g/cm (500g/in) and/or from about 196 g/cm (500 g/in) to about 394 g/cm (1000g/in) and/or from about 216 g/cm (550 g/in) to about 335 g/cm (850 g/in)and/or from about 236 g/cm (600 g/in) to about 315 g/cm (800 g/in). Inone example, the sanitary tissue product exhibits a total dry tensilestrength of less than about 394 g/cm (1000 g/in) and/or less than about335 g/cm (850 g/in).

In still another non-limiting example, a sanitary tissue product mayexhibit a total dry tensile strength of greater than about 196 g/cm (500g/in) and/or greater than about 236 g/cm (600 g/in) and/or greater thanabout 276 g/cm (700 g/in) and/or greater than about 315 g/cm (800 g/in)and/or greater than about 354 g/cm (900 g/in) and/or greater than about394 g/cm (1000 g/in) and/or from about 315 g/cm (800 g/in) to about 1968g/cm (5000 g/in) and/or from about 354 g/cm (900 g/in) to about 1181g/cm (3000 g/in) and/or from about 354 g/cm (900 g/in) to about 984 g/cm(2500 g/in) and/or from about 394 g/cm (1000 g/in) to about 787 g/cm(2000 g/in).

In yet another non-limiting example, a sanitary tissue product mayexhibit an initial total wet tensile strength of less than about 78 g/cm(200 g/in) and/or less than about 59 g/cm (150 g/in) and/or less thanabout 39 g/cm (100 g/in) and/or less than about 29 g/cm (75 g/in).

In another non-limiting example, a sanitary tissue product may exhibitan initial total wet tensile strength of greater than about 118 g/cm(300 g/in) and/or greater than about 157 g/cm (400 g/in) and/or greaterthan about 196 g/cm (500 g/in) and/or greater than about 236 g/cm (600g/in) and/or greater than about 276 g/cm (700 g/in) and/or greater thanabout 315 g/cm (800 g/in) and/or greater than about 354 g/cm (900 g/in)and/or greater than about 394 g/cm (1000 g/in) and/or from about 118g/cm (300 g/in) to about 1968 g/cm (5000 g/in) and/or from about 157g/cm (400 g/in) to about 1181 g/cm (3000 g/in) and/or from about 196g/cm (500 g/in) to about 984 g/cm (2500 g/in) and/or from about 196 g/cm(500 g/in) to about 787 g/cm (2000 g/in) and/or from about 196 g/cm (500g/in) to about 591 g/cm (1500 g/in).

In a further non-limiting example, a sanitary tissue product may exhibita density (measured at 95 g/in²) of less than about 0.60 g/cm³ and/orless than about 0.30 g/cm³ and/or less than about 0.20 g/cm³ and/or lessthan about 0.10 g/cm³ and/or less than about 0.07 g/cm³ and/or less thanabout 0.05 g/cm³ and/or from about 0.01 g/cm³ to about 0.20 g/cm³ and/orfrom about 0.02 g/cm³ to about 0.10 g/cm³.

The fibrous structures and/or sanitary tissue products of the presentinvention may comprises additives such as softening agents, temporarywet strength agents, permanent wet strength agents, bulk softeningagents, lotions, silicones, wetting agents, latexes, especiallysurface-pattern-applied latexes, dry strength agents such ascarboxymethylcellulose and starch, and other types of additives suitablefor inclusion in and/or on sanitary tissue products.

“Weight average molecular weight” as used herein means the weightaverage molecular weight as determined using gel permeationchromatography according to the protocol found in Colloids and SurfacesA. Physico Chemical & Engineering Aspects, Vol. 162, 2000, pg. 107-121.

“Wet Burst” as used herein is a measure of the ability of a fibrousstructure and/or a sanitary tissue product incorporating a fibrousstructure to absorb energy, when wet and subjected to deformation normalto the plane of the fibrous structure and/or fibrous structure productand is measured according to the Wet Burst Test Method described herein.

Packaging Material

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a packaging material 10 suitable for thecontainer of the present invention provides a fibrous structure 12laminated and/or otherwise bonded (e.g., chemically, physically,electrostatically, adhesively, melt-bonded, and the like) to a filmmaterial 14. In a preferred embodiment, the fibrous structure 12generally provides the surface of the resulting packaging material 10with high bulk and loft. In a preferred embodiment, the film material 14provides the resulting packaging material 10 with a generally liquidimpervious characteristic.

It is also believed that providing the film material 14 in contactingengagement with the fibrous structure 12 provides the resultingpackaging material 10 with enhanced stiffness.

The Container

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary, but non-limiting, package 20 of thepresent disclosure is provided as a container having a parallelpipedgeometry and a generally rectangular footprint. One of skill in the artwill easily understand the current container can form virtually anyshape and/or geometry desired to provide the required dispensing ofproducts provided within the confines of package 20. This may include,for example, ovular containers, cylindrical containers, triangularcontainers, as well as containers having any polygonal shape orstructure.

Exemplary package 20 generally provides a carton 21 containing a bundle16 of sheets 22 of stacked and/or interleaved facial tissue paper.However, one of skill in the art will easily recognize that virtuallyany product can be contained in the exemplary carton discussed herein.This may include by way of non-limiting example, bath tissue, papertoweling, feminine care products, baby care products, household careproducts, and the like. In an exemplary, but non-limiting embodiment,the carton 21 is provided with a dispensing opening 24 disposed upon oneor more sides of container 21 which is provided as a composite havingany geometry that facilitates the dispensing of the sheets 16 from thecarton 21. In one preferred embodiment, the dispensing opening 24 can beprovided as a generally elongate oval-shaped slot. A lineament 28 canenable the tear-out removal of a panel disposed in carton 21 that hasbeen outlined by a line of weakening having the configuration oflineament 28. For purposes of convention only, the dispensing openingwill be considered to be disposed in the uppermost side or sides of thecontainer 21 as this is how most consumers would position such a carton21 for the dispensing of any article contained within carton 21.However, one of skill in the art could position the dispensing openingupon any side or sides of the container 21 and still provide thedispensing necessary from carton 21 for the articles contained therein.

As shown, the exemplary paralellpiped carton 21 preferably comprises topwall 35, end wall 36, front (side) wall 37, corresponding back (side)wall (not shown), corresponding second end wall (not shown), andcorresponding bottom wall (not shown). The top-front edge of the cartonis designated 38.

One of skill in the art will recognize that if carton 21 is providedwith an alternative geometry, naturally, the number of sides, walls,tops, and bottom designations will reflect the actual geometry of thecarton 21. For example, if carton 21 is provided as an elliptic cylinder(i.e., having an elliptical cross-section) there would naturally be atop wall, bottom wall, and at least one side wall circumscribing the topand bottom walls. Similarly, if carton 21 is provided as a verticallyoriented wedge, there would naturally be a bottom wall and at least fourside walls, all of which culminate in a line segment joining all foursides.

An exemplary embodiment of package 20 comprises a carton 21 that issized and configured to accommodate a bundle of stacked and/orinterleaved sheets 22. Such a carton 21 is preferably constructed fromthe unique packaging material 10 described herein. However, one of skillin the art could provide for the construction of carton 21 from amaterial comprising only fibrous structure 12.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, it may be advantageous to provide aninsert 18 within carton 21 to provide for further folded articlecontainment or for additional structural support of the top wall 35.Such an insert 18 may comprise a three-sided structure with one ends anda top portion. An exemplary insert 18 can be formed from a paperboardstructure having two parallel fold lines and form a ‘U’ shape. Thus, theexemplary insert 18 would provide a bottom and two side walls relativeto the carton 21 when disposed therein. The insert 18 can provide aconsumer cognizable benefit by assisting in the upright support of theside walls of the resulting carton 21.

When utilized, insert 18 effectively reduces the paperboard footprint ofa traditional paperboard carton by eliminating the need for theadditional material necessary to form the end walls and top portion ofthe traditional tissue container. This results in a synergistic effectby facilitating the sustainable benefit of using less paperboard toproduce a traditional tissue container yet provides the additionalsupport that may be necessary if the packaging material 10 is selectedto have physical characteristics that may result in the apparentdegradation of the appearance of carton 21 upon the consumer removal ofthe bundle of stacked and/or interleaved sheets 22 disposed withincarton 21.

Test Methods

Unless otherwise specified, all tests described herein including thosedescribed under the Definitions section and the following Test Methodsare conducted on samples that have been conditioned in a conditionedroom at a temperature of 73° F.±4° F. (about 23° C.±2.2° C.) and arelative humidity of 50%±2% for 2 hours prior to the test. All plasticand paper board packaging materials must be carefully separated from anysanitary tissue products contained therein prior to testing. Discard anydamaged samples. All tests are conducted in such a conditioned room.

Caliper Test Method

Caliper of a fibrous structure and/or sanitary tissue product ismeasured using a Progage Thickness Tester Model II (Thwing-AlbertInstrument Company, West Berlin, N.J.) with a pressure foot diameter of2.00 inches (area of 3.14 in²) at a pressure of 95 g/in². One (1) samplewas prepared by cutting of a usable unit so that the cut sample is atleast 2.5 inches per side, avoiding creases, folds, and obvious defects.The sample was placed on the anvil with the specimen centered underneaththe pressure foot. The foot is lowered at 0.03 in/sec to an appliedpressure of 95 g/in². The reading is taken after 3 sec., and the foot israised. The measure is repeated in like fashion for each specimen.

Opacity Test Method

Sample Preparation

For this method, a usable unit is described as one finished product unitregardless of the number of plies. Any effect of normal laboratorytemperature and humidity ranges upon sample color or opacity isnegligible, thus samples do not need to be conditioned. The samples andinstrument should be kept in an area free of high humidity and corrosivevapors however, and the samples should be protected from contaminationby dirt, lint, or other extraneous material.

Select samples free of creases, wrinkles, tears, and other obviousdefects for testing. Always stack and fold the sample in such a way thatthe outer or upper surface of the product, as it is converted, will bethe top surface of the sample directly under the instrument sample port,unless instructions for a particular product indicate to the contrary.In addition, make the sample so that orientation (MD, CD) is identicalfor each usable unit.

A. Color

Cut a sample several plies thick, approximately 15″×15″ (381×381 mm),with the machine direction perpendicular and/or parallel to the cutedges. Make a stack of eight sheets and fold them over once, giving astack of sixteen thicknesses. For roll nonwoven products, measure colorfor the OUTSIDE, MIDDLE and INSIDE of the roll.

B. Opacity

Select one usable unit and proceed as described in section B. ofOperation.

Operation

A. Color and Whiteness Index

LabScan XE w/DP9000 Processor or LabScan XE w/Universal Software: Followthe procedures described in Method GCAS 58007233 and manufacturer'sinstrument manual for standardization. It is recommended that theinstrument be standardized at least once every 8 hours.

-   -   1. Press 2/10 DEG. ALT MODE, C, LAB.    -   2. Be sure screen heading reads “TWO DEGREE ILLUM.=C” LAB.    -   3. Place appropriate clean plate at port.    -   4. Press PROGRAM 1 (see Method GCAS 58007233 for instructions on        writing a program).    -   5. When screen reads “RECALL PROD STD”, key in the digits of the        desired color prod. std. register number.    -   6. Press PROGRAM (screen will read “WORKING”).    -   7. The values for the chosen prod. std. will be shown under the        standard and sample headings.

Labscan Spectro is now ready to read samples. Lower the standard platefrom under the instrument port. Place the sample portion prepared foranalysis on top of the standard plate, and slowly release the samplestage, allowing the sample to be raised under the sample port. Do notpush the sample stage up, as this will cause the sample to bulge intothe instrument port; allow the sample to be raised gently into place bythe sample stage itself. In cases where decorated product is beingtested, be careful to place the sample on the sample stage so that thecolor of the desired portion of sample will be measured. Read and recordthe L, a, and b readings.

B. Opacity

Set the color scale to XYZ, the Observer to 10°, and the Illuminant toD65. For instrument standardization, follow the procedures described inMethod GCAS 58007233 and in the manufacturer's instrument manual. Placeone usable unit of the sample on the white un-calibrated plate (this isadequate and helps to prevent wear of the white calibration plate).Raise the sample and plate into place under the sample port anddetermine the Y value (only).

Lower the sample and plate. Without rotating the sample itself, removethe white plate and replace it with the black plate. Again, raise thesample and plate and determine the Y value (only) When a series ofsamples are to be run, Y values over the white plate may be determinedfor all samples before changing to the black plate (when using theopacity calculation function on the machines that have this capability,each sample must be read on both the white plate and black plate beforegoing to the next sample). It is important, however, that the sample notbe rotated between the white plate and black plate readings.

Note: For stacked wet nonwoven products, measure opacity for the TOP,MIDDLE and BOTTOM of the stack. For roll nonwoven products, measureopacity for the OUTSIDE, MIDDLE and INSIDE of the roll.

Calculations

A. Color

Report the values determined, reading data to the tenth (0.1) of a unitfor L, a, and b.

B. Whiteness Index—WI E313

Report the values determined, reading data to the tenth (0.1) of a unitfor WI E313. Calculations are performed by the instrument as per ASTME313.

C. Opacity

Some colorimeter models have the capability to perform this operationautomatically, check the manufacturer's operator's manual. To calculatethe % Opacity value: Y reading of black plate/Y reading of whiteplate×100=% Opacity.

Reporting Results

Report results for Color and whiteness index to 0.1 units and Opacity to0.1%.

Package Height Reduction Test Method

A wrapped stack of tissues is placed on a flat surface with in such amanner that the opening of the package is facing upward. In this wayproduct is removed from the top panel of the wrapped package.

If the package has rectangular paralellpiped geometry, before thepackage is opened and any tissues are dispensed, the height from theflat surface to the top panel at the center point of the longerhorizontal (side) panel is measured. If the package has a cubicparalellpiped geometry, before the package is opened and any tissues aredispensed, the height from the flat surface to the top panel at thecenter point of any of the side panels is measured. This is themeasurement point for all data generated for this method.

Next, the dispensing feature is opened and tissues are removed. Take aheight measurement at the same center point as any desired amount oftissues are dispensed. It is preferred that a height measurement betaken after the removal of 10 sheets and each 10 sheets thereafter until100% of sheets disposed within the package are dispensed.

Plate Stiffness Test Method

As used herein, the “Plate Stiffness” test is a measure of stiffness ofa flat sample as it is deformed downward into a hole beneath the sample.For the test, the sample is modeled as an infinite plate with thickness“t” that resides on a flat surface where it is centered over a hole withradius “R”. A central force “F” applied to the tissue directly over thecenter of the hole deflects the tissue down into the hole by a distance“w”. For a linear elastic material the deflection can be predicted by:

$w = {\frac{3F}{4\pi \; {Et}^{3}}\left( {1 - v} \right)\left( {3 + v} \right)R^{2}}$

where “E” is the effective linear elastic modulus, “v” is the Poisson'sratio, “R” is the radius of the hole, and “t” is the thickness of thetissue, taken as the caliper in millimeters measured on a stack of 5tissues under a load of about 0.29 psi. Taking Poisson's ratio as 0.1(the solution is not highly sensitive to this parameter, so theinaccuracy due to the assumed value is likely to be minor), the previousequation can be rewritten for “w” to estimate the effective modulus as afunction of the flexibility test results:

$E \approx {\frac{3R^{2}}{4t^{3}}\frac{F}{w}}$

The test results are carried out using an MTS Alliance RT/1 testingmachine (MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, Minn.) with a 100N load cell.As a stack of five tissue sheets at least 2.5-inches square sitscentered over a hole of radius 15.75 mm on a support plate, a bluntprobe of 3.15 mm radius descends at a speed of 20 mm/min. When the probetip descends to 1 mm below the plane of the support plate, the test isterminated. The maximum slope in grams of force/mm over any 0.5 mm spanduring the test is recorded (this maximum slope generally occurs at theend of the stroke). The load cell monitors the applied force and theposition of the probe tip relative to the plane of the support plate isalso monitored. The peak load is recorded, and “E” is estimated usingthe above equation.

The Plate Stiffness “S” per unit width can then be calculated as:

$S = \frac{{Et}^{3}}{12}$

and is expressed in units of Newtons-millimeters. The Testworks programuses the following formula to calculate stiffness:

S=(F/w)[(3+v)R ²/16π]

wherein “F/w” is max slope (force divided by deflection), “v” isPoisson's ratio taken as 0.1, and “R” is the ring radius.

In a non-limiting example, a material suitable for forming a carton 21may preferably exhibit a plate stiffness value ranging from about 1.4N/mm to about 200 N/mm, or from about 1.4 N/mm to about 50 N/mm, or fromabout 1.4 N/mm to about 25 N/mm.

Elevation Test Method

An elevation of a surface pattern or portion of a surface pattern on astructure can be measured using a GFM Mikrocad Optical Profilerinstrument commercially available from GFMesstechnik GmbH, Warthestraβe21, D14513 Teltow/Berlin, Germany. The GFM Mikrocad Optical Profilerinstrument includes a compact optical measuring sensor based on thedigital micro mirror projection, consisting of the following maincomponents: a) DMD projector with 1024×768 direct digital controlledmicro mirrors, b) CCD camera with high resolution (1300×1000 pixels), c)projection optics adapted to a measuring area of at least 44 mm×33 mm,and d) matching resolution recording optics; a table tripod based on asmall hard stone plate; a cold light source; a measuring, control, andevaluation computer; measuring, control, and evaluation software ODSCAD4.0, English version; and adjusting probes for lateral (x-y) andvertical (z) calibration.

The GFM Mikrocad Optical Profiler system measures the surface height ofa product sample using the digital micro-minor pattern projectiontechnique. The result of the analysis is a map of surface height (z) vs.xy displacement. The system has a field of view of 140×105 mm with aresolution of 29 microns. The height resolution should be set to between0.10 and 1.00 micron. The height range is 64,000 times the resolution.

The relative height of different portions of a surface pattern can bevisually determined via a topography image, which is obtained for eachproduct sample as described below. At least three samples are measured.Actual height values can be obtained as follows below.

To measure the height or elevation of a surface pattern or portion of asurface pattern, the following can be performed: (1) Turn on the coldlight source. The settings on the cold light source should be 4 and C,which should give a reading of 3000K on the display; (2) Turn on thecomputer, monitor and printer and open the ODSCAD 4.0 or higher MikrocadSoftware; (3) Select “Measurement” icon from the Mikrocad taskbar andthen click the “Live Pic” button; (4) Place a product sample, of atleast 5 cm by 5 cm in size, under the projection head, without anymechanical clamping, and adjust the distance for best focus; (5) Clickthe “Pattern” button repeatedly to project one of several focusingpatterns to aid in achieving the best focus (the software cross hairshould align with the projected cross hair when optimal focus isachieved). Position the projection head to be normal to the sanitarytissue product sample surface; (6) Adjust image brightness by changingthe aperture on the camera lens and/or altering the camera “gain”setting on the screen. Set the gain to the lowest practical level whilemaintaining optimum brightness so as to limit the amount of electronicnoise. When the illumination is optimum, the red circle at bottom of thescreen labeled “I.O.” will turn green; (7) Select Standard measurementtype; (8) Click on the “Measure” button. This will freeze the live imageon the screen and, simultaneously, the surface capture process willbegin. It is important to keep the sample still during this time toavoid blurring of the captured images. The full digitized surface dataset will be captured in approximately 20 seconds; (9) Save the data to acomputer file with “.omc” extension. This will also save the cameraimage file “.kam”; (10) Export the file to the FD3 v1.0 format; 11)Measure and record at least three areas from each sample; 12) Importeach file into the software package SPIP (Image Metrology, A/S,Hørsholm, Denmark); 13) Using the Averaging profile tool, draw a profileline perpendicular to height or elevation (such as embossment)transition region. Expand the averaging box to include as much of theheight or elevation (embossment) as practical so as to generate andaverage profile of the transition region (from top surface to the bottomof the surface pattern or portion of surface pattern (such as anembossment) and backup to the top surface.). In the average line profilewindow, select a pair of cursor points.

To move the surface data into the analysis portion of the software,click on the clipboard/man icon; (11) Now, click on the icon “DrawLines”. Draw a line through the center of a region of features definingthe texture of interest. Click on Show Sectional Line icon. In thesectional plot, click on any two points of interest, for example, a peakand the baseline, then click on vertical distance tool to measure heightin microns or click on adjacent peaks and use the horizontal distancetool to determine in-plane direction spacing; and (12) for heightmeasurements, use 3 lines, with at least 5 measurements per line,discarding the high and low values for each line, and determining themean of the remaining 9 values. Also record the standard deviation,maximum, and minimum. For x and/or y direction measurements, determinethe mean of 7 measurements. Also record the standard deviation, maximum,and minimum. Criteria that can be used to characterize and distinguishtexture include, but are not limited to, occluded area (i.e. area offeatures), open area (area absent of features), spacing, in-plane size,and height. If the probability that the difference between the two meansof texture characterization is caused by chance is less than 10%, thetextures can be considered to differ from one another.

Compression/Relaxation Test Method

The Compression Value of a sample product is measured by as follows.Caliper versus load data are obtained using a Thwing-Albert Model EJAMaterials Tester, equipped with a 2500 g load cell and compressionfixture including a compression table (compression platen). Thecompression fixture consists of the following: a load cell adaptor/footmount 1.128 inch diameter presser foot, #89-14 anvil, 89-157 levelingplate, anvil mount, and a grip pin, all available from the Thwing-AlbertInstrument Company. The compression foot has an area is 1 in². Theinstrument is run under the control of Thwing-Albert Motion AnalysisPresentation Software (MAP V3.0.5.7). A 4-inch×4-inch test sample in iscut from the material to be tested. Care should be taken to avoid damageto the center portion of the test sample which will be under test.Scissors or other suitable cutting tools may be used. For testingpurposes, the test sample is centered on the compression table under thecompression foot. The compression-relaxation procedure is performed onceon each test sample. The compression and relaxation portion data areobtained using a crosshead speed of 0.10 inches/minute with a dataacquisition rate of 50/sec and an approach speed of 0.3 in/min. When theload reaches ≧3 g, the approach speed is reduced to 0.10 in/min. Thedeflection of the load cell is obtained by running the test without atest sample being present on the compression table. This is generallyknown to those of skill in the art as the Steel-to-Steel data. TheSteel-to-Steel data are obtained at a crosshead speed of 0.10inch/minute. Crosshead position and load cell data are recorded betweenthe load cell range of 25 g to 1250 g for both the compression andrelaxation portions of the test. Since the compression foot area is 1in² this corresponds to a range of 25 g/in² to 1250 g/in². The maximumpressure exerted on the sample is 300 g/in². At 300 g/in² the crossheadreverses its travel direction. Crosshead position values are collectedat selected load values during the test. These correspond to pressurevalues of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 750, 1000,1250, 1250, 1000, 750, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 150, 125, 100, 75, 50,and 25 g/in² for the compression and the relaxation directionsrespectively. During the compression portion of the test, crossheadposition values are collected by the MAP software, by defining 14 traps(Trap 1 to Trap 14) at load settings of 25 (C25), 50 (C50), 75 (C75),100 (C100), 125 (C125), 150 (C150), 200 (C200), 300 (C300), 400 (C400),500 (C500), 600 (C600), 750 (C750), 1000 (C1000), and 1250

(C1250) g/in². The test apparatus and procedure compresses the testsample between 1500 g/in² to 1600 g/in² before returning. During therelaxation (return) portion of the test, crosshead position values arecollected by the MAP software, by defining 14 return traps (Return Trap1to Return Trap 14) at load settings of 1250 (R1250), 1000 (R1000), 750(R750), 600 (R600), 500 (R500), 400 (R400), 300 (R300), 200 (R200), 150(R150), 125 (R125), 100 (R100), 75 (R75), 50 (R50), and 25 (R25) g/in².This cycle of compressions to 1250 g/in² and return to 25 g/in² is onthe same test sample without removing the test sample. Thecompression-relaxation test is replicated 5 times for a given sample andusing a fresh material sample each time. The result (caliper of the testsample) is reported as an average of the 5 replicates for a given load.The caliper values are obtained for both the Steel-to-Steel and the testsample. Steel-to-Steel values are obtained for each batch of testing. Ifmultiple days are involved in the testing, the values are checked daily.The Steel-to-Steel values and the test sample values are an average of 5replicates at a given load.

Caliper values for a sample are obtained by subtracting the averageSteel-to-Steel crosshead trap value for a given load from the testsample crosshead trap value for a given load (for example at each trappoint). For example, the caliper values from five individual replicatesat a given load on each test sample are averaged and used to obtain theCompression Value at a given load. Compression Values are reported inmillimeters (mils).

Results Package Height Reduction

TABLE 1 Results of Package Height Reduction for 4 Exemplary Packages andCalculated Percent Drop. 18 gsm non- 30 gsm non- 1.5-mil woven/1.8-milwoven/1.8-mil Polyethylene (PE) PE Micro Emboss PE Micro Emboss 18 gsmFilm Only (ME) film (ME) film non-woven (NW) Package laminate Packagelaminate Package Only Package Sheets Height % Height % Height % Height %Remaining (in) DROP (in) DROP (in) DROP (in) DROP 100 2.375 n/a 2.8125n/a 2.75 n/a 2.75 n/a 90 2.3125 2.6% 2.8125 0.0% 2.6875 2.3% 2.75 0.0%80 2 15.8% 2.8125 0.0% 2.6875 2.3% 2.75 0.0% 70 1.75 26.3% 2.8125 0.0%2.6875 2.3% 2.6875 2.3% 60 1.625 31.6% 2.75 2.2% 2.625 4.5% 2.5 9.1% 501.625 31.6% 2.75 2.2% 2.625 4.5% 2.4375 11.4% 40 1.25 47.4% 2.75 2.2%2.625 4.5% 2.4375 11.4% 30 1 57.9% 2.75 2.2% 2.625 4.5% 2.375 13.6% 200.875 63.2% 2.75 2.2% 2.625 4.5% 2.25 18.2% 10 0.5 78.9% 2.75 2.2%2.5625 6.8% 2.25 18.2% 0 0.25 89.5% 2.75 2.2% 2.5625 6.8% 2.125 22.7%

TABLE 2 Overall Package Height Reduction for 4 Exemplary PackagesPackage Material Total Drop 1.5-mil PE Film Only 89.50% 18-gsm NW Only22.70% 18 gsm NW + 1.8-mil PE 2.20% ME Film 30 gsm NW + 1.8-mil PE 6.80%ME Film

Plate Stiffness Test

TABLE 3 Overall Plate Stiffness Results for 7 Exemplary Packages (4Replicate Samples) Sample Name g/mm N * mm max g 20-mil Coated RecycledBoard (CRB) 2931.023 440 2666.186 20-mil Coated Recycled Board (CRB)2905.107 436 2632.053 20-mil Recycled Board (CRB) 2812.874 422 2527.03520-mil Recycled Board (CRB) 3016.858 453 2754.775 1.5 ml PE film 3.8940.584 2.825 1.5 ml PE film 4.870 0.731 3.028 1.5 ml PE film 5.383 0.8083.692 1.5 ml PE film 3.808 0.571 3.004 1.8-mil PE Micro Emboss (ME) Film2.080 0.312 1.571 1.8-mil PE Micro Emboss (ME) Film 1.703 0.256 1.4781.8-mil PE Micro Emboss (ME) Film 1.956 0.293 1.526 1.8-mil PE MicroEmboss (ME) Film 1.914 0.287 1.560 18 gsm non-woven (NW) 7.333 1.1004.872 18 gsm non-woven (NW) 4.112 0.617 3.742 18 gsm non-woven (NW)3.993 0.599 3.449 18 gsm non-woven (NW) 4.900 0.735 5.103 30 gsmnon-woven (NW) 3.414 0.512 2.748 30 gsm non-woven (NW) 3.221 0.483 2.55130 gsm non-woven (NW) 4.701 0.705 3.118 30 gsm non-woven (NW) 4.3570.654 3.178 18 gsm NW + 1.8-mil PE ME film 19.176 2.877 13.410 18 gsmNW + 1.8-mil PE ME film 15.092 2.264 11.149 18 gsm NW + 1.8-mil PE MEfilm 9.799 1.470 8.111 18 gsm NW + 1.8-mil PE ME film 16.271 2.44112.522 18 gsm NW + 1.8-mil PE ME film 18.539 2.781 12.522 30 gsm NW +1.8-mil PE ME film 15.183 2.278 11.461 30 gsm NW + 1.8-mil PE ME film16.850 2.528 12.483 30 gsm NW + 1.8-mil PE ME film 16.299 2.445 12.65530 gsm NW + 1.8-mil PE ME film 18.924 2.839 13.730

Elevation Test

TABLE 4 Overall Surface Elevation of 3 Exemplary Packages. Sample Sa(μm) Sq (μm) 18 gsm-non-woven with 26.2 33.9 1.8-mil PE ME film 30gsm-non-woven with 36.3 45.8 1.8-mil PE ME film 30 gsm-non-woven 37.947.6

Compression Test

TABLE 5 Results of Compression Data (i.e., Overall Compression andCompressive Force) for Exemplary Laminated and Non-Laminated Structures.Compression Caliper (mil) Sample Name C25 C50 C75 C100 C125 C150 C200C300 C400 C500 C600 C750 C1000 C1250 C1250-C25 20-pt CRB (paperboard)21.48 21.06 20.94 20.80 20.71 20.70 20.64 20.52 20.51 20.50 20.40 20.4020.36 20.37 −1.12 20-pt CRB (paperboard) 20.95 20.80 20.70 20.54 20.5720.56 20.51 20.41 20.41 20.34 20.28 20.25 20.19 20.18 −0.76 20-pt CRB(paperboard) 20.94 20.51 20.41 20.34 20.28 20.26 20.19 20.11 20.08 19.9419.96 19.91 19.87 19.87 −1.07 20-pt CRB (paperboard) 20.75 20.34 20.3120.23 20.18 20.14 20.07 20.01 20.00 19.89 19.88 19.84 19.85 19.83 −0.92Norm. 20-pt CRB 1.00 0.98 0.97 0.97 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.95 0.95 0.950.95 0.95 0.95 −0.97 (paperboard) 30 gsm non-woven/film 14.40 13.8713.54 13.30 13.12 12.96 12.69 12.34 12.09 11.87 11.68 11.50 11.20 10.97−3.43 30 gsm non-woven/film 14.68 14.12 13.76 13.45 13.31 13.07 12.8212.46 12.15 11.91 11.72 11.49 11.15 10.98 −3.70 30 gsm non-woven/film14.42 13.89 13.53 13.26 13.11 12.90 12.62 12.21 11.96 11.74 11.54 11.2811.00 10.80 −3.62 30 gsm non-woven/film 15.39 14.74 14.31 14.05 13.8313.58 13.39 13.00 12.73 12.49 12.31 12.11 11.81 11.60 −3.79 Norm. 30 gsm1.00 0.96 0.94 0.92 0.91 0.90 0.88 0.86 0.84 0.82 0.81 0.80 0.78 0.76−3.63 non-woven/film Clear micro emb 2.70 2.71 2.65 2.58 2.59 2.58 2.602.60 2.59 2.59 2.59 2.58 2.59 2.59 −0.12 Clear micro emb 3.14 2.97 2.972.92 2.83 2.72 2.72 2.68 2.61 2.59 2.61 2.58 2.59 2.57 −0.57 Clear microemb 2.72 2.72 2.69 2.71 2.62 2.61 2.63 2.64 2.61 2.60 2.59 2.61 2.612.61 −0.11 Clear micro emb 2.73 2.71 2.67 2.71 2.61 2.62 2.63 2.65 2.622.62 2.62 2.61 2.61 2.62 −0.11 Norm. Clear micro emb 1.00 0.98 0.97 0.970.94 0.93 0.94 0.94 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 −0.23 30 gsm non-woven11.33 10.72 10.37 10.11 9.87 9.75 9.49 9.09 8.82 8.64 8.45 8.26 7.987.79 −3.54 30 gsm non-woven 12.17 11.52 11.12 10.87 10.63 10.45 10.159.80 9.49 9.25 9.09 8.85 8.58 8.41 −3.76 30 gsm non-woven 11.55 10.8110.45 10.17 9.93 9.76 9.51 9.13 8.87 8.65 8.48 8.28 8.01 7.84 −3.71 30gsm non-woven 11.51 10.97 10.67 10.43 10.24 10.05 9.84 9.44 9.28 9.108.94 8.75 8.48 8.35 −3.16 Norm. 30 gsm non-woven 1.00 0.95 0.92 0.890.87 0.86 0.84 0.80 0.78 0.77 0.75 0.73 0.71 0.70 −3.54 18 gsmnon-woven/film 11.76 11.41 11.18 10.97 10.90 10.77 10.60 10.37 10.1810.01 9.87 9.71 9.50 9.36 −2.40 18 gsm non-woven/film 11.83 11.47 11.2211.00 10.92 10.79 10.62 10.36 10.18 10.01 9.88 9.72 9.50 9.36 −2.47 18gsm non-woven/film 11.51 11.03 10.78 10.59 10.45 10.30 10.10 9.82 9.669.46 9.31 9.15 8.93 8.75 −2.76 18 gsm non-woven/film 12.38 11.97 11.7311.55 11.39 11.19 11.06 10.76 10.56 10.32 10.21 10.00 9.76 9.57 −2.81Norm. 18 gsm 1.00 0.97 0.95 0.93 0.92 0.91 0.89 0.87 0.85 0.84 0.83 0.810.79 0.78 −2.61 non-woven/film 18 gsm non-woven 8.48 8.16 7.92 7.75 7.617.51 7.36 7.10 6.96 6.82 6.70 6.53 6.34 6.24 −2.24 18 gsm non-woven 7.967.60 7.36 7.21 7.11 7.00 6.83 6.60 6.47 6.35 6.23 6.11 5.95 5.84 −2.1218 gsm non-woven 9.19 8.75 8.44 8.35 8.20 8.06 7.87 7.64 7.41 7.30 7.167.01 6.82 6.70 −2.49 18 gsm non-woven 8.41 7.97 7.82 7.66 7.53 7.39 7.277.01 6.91 6.79 6.69 6.51 6.34 6.23 −2.18 Norm. 18 gsm non-woven 1.000.95 0.93 0.91 0.89 0.88 0.86 0.83 0.82 0.80 0.79 0.77 0.75 0.74 −2.25

TABLE 6 Results of Relaxation Data (i.e., Overall Relaxation andRelaxive Force) for Exemplary Laminated and Non-Laminated StructuresRelaxation Caliper (mil) Sample Name R1250 R1000 R750 R600 R500 R400R300 R200 20-pt CRB (paperboard) 20.363 20.367 20.283 20.258 20.31320.390 20.430 20.446 20-pt CRB (paperboard) 20.193 20.182 20.119 20.10820.155 20.210 20.264 20.272 20-pt CRB (paperboard) 19.873 19.868 19.79119.781 19.807 19.904 19.911 19.954 20-pt CRB (paperboard) 19.852 19.83319.773 19.742 19.780 19.885 19.858 19.938 Norm. 20-pt CRB 0.99 0.99 0.980.98 0.98 0.99 0.99 0.99 (paperboard) 30 gsm non-woven/film 11.20310.968 10.758 10.785 10.914 11.074 11.196 11.303 30 gsm non-woven/film11.152 10.981 10.689 10.715 10.901 11.041 11.141 11.286 30 gsmnon-woven/film 11.000 10.799 10.534 10.553 10.694 10.955 10.979 11.14830 gsm non-woven/film 11.806 11.597 11.321 11.299 11.474 11.630 11.76311.869 Norm. 30 gsm non-woven/film 0.92 0.90 0.88 0.88 0.89 0.91 0.920.93 Clear micro emb 2.589 2.585 2.580 2.593 2.569 2.561 2.589 2.608Clear micro emb 2.590 2.568 2.560 2.556 2.552 2.568 2.575 2.615 Clearmicro emb 2.605 2.612 2.588 2.570 2.585 2.571 2.602 2.642 Clear microemb 2.607 2.615 2.594 2.588 2.587 2.592 2.609 2.637 Norm. Clear microemb 0.97 0.97 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.97 0.98 30 gsm non-woven 7.978 7.7877.523 7.562 7.676 7.841 7.965 8.078 30 gsm non-woven 8.583 8.408 8.1428.165 8.298 8.480 8.607 8.782 30 gsm non-woven 8.014 7.836 7.594 7.6027.725 7.912 8.029 8.161 30 gsm non-woven 8.484 8.351 8.115 8.130 8.2728.440 8.541 8.706 Norm. 30 gsm non-woven 0.88 0.86 0.84 0.84 0.85 0.870.89 0.90 18 gsm non-woven/film 9.504 9.364 9.138 9.134 9.264 9.4169.534 9.626 18 gsm non-woven/film 9.500 9.363 9.121 9.096 9.240 9.3699.512 9.637 18 gsm non-woven/film 8.929 8.748 8.575 8.581 8.718 8.8448.923 9.051 18 gsm non-woven/film 9.756 9.573 9.330 9.340 9.484 9.6759.735 9.864 Norm. 18 gsm non-woven/film 0.92 0.91 0.88 0.88 0.90 0.910.92 0.93 18 gsm non-woven 6.335 6.243 6.099 6.108 6.252 6.338 6.4186.617 18 gsm non-woven 5.954 5.840 5.718 5.699 5.774 5.940 5.995 6.08618 gsm non-woven 6.823 6.700 6.514 6.497 6.617 6.767 6.952 7.006 18 gsmnon-woven 6.335 6.234 6.146 6.111 6.275 6.360 6.424 6.567 Norm. 18 gsmnon-woven 0.88 0.87 0.85 0.85 0.86 0.88 0.89 0.91 Relaxation Caliper(mil) Sample Name R150 R125 R100 R75 R50 R25 R25-R1250 20-pt CRB(paperboard) 20.486 20.500 20.532 20.580 20.633 20.603 0.240 20-pt CRB(paperboard) 20.332 20.398 20.398 20.457 20.464 20.562 0.369 20-pt CRB(paperboard) 19.994 20.059 20.101 20.114 20.124 20.149 0.276 20-pt CRB(paperboard) 19.907 19.965 20.024 20.025 20.032 20.077 0.225 Norm. 20-ptCRB 0.99 0.99 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.28 (paperboard) 30 gsmnon-woven/film 11.414 11.574 11.830 11.980 12.018 12.242 1.039 30 gsmnon-woven/film 11.405 11.547 11.824 12.012 12.036 12.269 1.117 30 gsmnon-woven/film 11.223 11.386 11.597 11.751 11.926 11.925 0.925 30 gsmnon-woven/film 11.976 12.124 12.412 12.533 12.608 12.733 0.927 Norm. 30gsm non-woven/film 0.94 0.95 0.97 0.98 0.99 1.00 1.00 Clear micro emb2.605 2.647 2.678 2.694 2.635 2.622 0.033 Clear micro emb 2.592 2.6322.672 2.733 2.725 2.744 0.154 Clear micro emb 2.605 2.625 2.699 2.6812.700 2.685 0.080 Clear micro emb 2.615 2.656 2.736 2.693 2.661 2.6570.050 Norm. Clear micro emb 0.97 0.99 1.01 1.01 1.00 1.00 0.08 30 gsmnon-woven 8.281 8.384 8.645 8.817 8.881 9.043 1.065 30 gsm non-woven8.828 8.994 9.250 9.430 9.651 9.699 1.116 30 gsm non-woven 8.322 8.4368.699 8.909 9.006 9.136 1.122 30 gsm non-woven 8.765 8.924 9.148 9.3649.545 9.560 1.076 Norm. 30 gsm non-woven 0.91 0.93 0.95 0.98 0.99 1.001.09 18 gsm non-woven/film 9.737 9.881 10.025 10.167 10.203 10.262 0.75818 gsm non-woven/film 9.677 9.832 10.093 10.125 10.173 10.273 0.773 18gsm non-woven/film 9.133 9.296 9.459 9.622 9.837 9.814 0.885 18 gsmnon-woven/film 9.965 10.092 10.309 10.440 10.482 10.566 0.810 Norm. 18gsm non-woven/film 0.94 0.96 0.97 0.99 0.99 1.00 0.81 18 gsm non-woven6.618 6.747 6.985 7.147 7.109 7.206 0.871 18 gsm non-woven 6.182 6.3196.466 6.543 6.626 6.731 0.777 18 gsm non-woven 7.107 7.224 7.460 7.6087.629 7.741 0.918 18 gsm non-woven 6.589 6.715 6.881 6.992 7.034 7.1620.827 Norm. 18 gsm non-woven 0.92 0.94 0.96 0.98 0.98 1.00 0.85

TABLE 7 Mathematically Expressed Equations for Exemplary Laminated andNon-Laminated Structures Where x = Compression Pressure and y =Normalized Compression Caliper. 20-pt CRB (paperboard): y =−0.012ln(x) + 1.0272 30 gsm non-woven: y = −0.078ln(x) + 1.2525 18 gsmnon-woven/film: y = −0.057ln(x) + 1.1892 30 gsm non-woven/film: y =−0.061ln(x) + 1.2042 18 gsm non-woven: y = −0.068ln(x) + 1.2219 Clearmicro-emboss: y = −0.021ln(x) + 1.0598 30 gsm non-woven: y =−0.078ln(x) + 1.2525

TABLE 8 Mathematically Expressed Equations for Exemplary Laminated andNon-Laminated Structures Where x = Relaxation Pressure and y =Normalized Relaxation Caliper. 18 gsm non-woven/film: y = −0.031ln(x) +1.1058 30 gsm non-woven/film: y = −0.031ln(x) + 1.0997 18 gsm non-woven:y = −0.042ln(x) + 1.1402 30 gsm non-woven: y = −0.043ln(x) + 1.1413

TABLE 9 Results of Caliper and Opacity Data for Exemplary Laminated andNon-Laminated Structures Opacity (Y_(black backing)/ CaliperY_(white backing)) * Y_(black backing) Y_(white backing) (mil) 100Opacity/Caliper PP clear (ex., Kraft 0.86 82.03 1.25 1.05 0.84 mac andcheese bundle) 1.5 mil PE film with 1.63 81.38 1.83 2.00 1.09 white noprinting Extrel ® 800 0.9 mil 0.99 81.56 1.07 1.21 1.13 PE filmTredegar ® 1 mil PE 1.71 81.38 1.59 2.10 1.32 film Experimental film6.75 82.59 3.95 8.17 2.07 with artwork (clear spot on ink) Experimentalfilm 6.8 74.5 3.67 9.13 2.49 with artwork (blue/green spot on ink)Experimental film 6.9 67.46 2.74 10.23 3.73 with artwork (light bluearea) Tredegar ® 1 mil PE 1.39 31.03 1.19 4.48 3.76 film withintransparent ink Experimental film 6.9 42 3.84 16.43 4.28 with artwork(orange from branding) Experimental film 5.3 15.35 3.76 34.53 3.82 withartwork (purple ink) Soft touch film 20.87 86.58 1.99 24.10 12.11unprinted 1.5 mil PE film with 39.93 86.8 2.74 46.00 16.79 whiteprinting Kleenex ® SoftPack 39.75 86.94 2.45 45.72 18.66 white PE filmfrom Japan Kleenex ® Slim Pack 20.6 33.62 2.53 61.27 24.22 (city scapeartwork) blue pattern/inside panel Pampers ® wet wipes 56.77 59.37 3.2895.62 29.15 PP/PE film Kleenex ® Slim Pack 26.02 37.03 2.29 70.27 30.68(city scape artwork) city scene/front panel Kleenex ® Slim Pack 6.387.26 2.19 87.88 40.13 (canthus artwork) snakey side/front panelKleenex ® Slim Pack 4.02 4.02 2.03 100.00 49.26 (canthus artwork) blackside/inside panel

A preferred packaging material 10 suitable for the container of thepresent invention has an opacity value ranging from about 5.0 to about45.0 or from about 6.0 to about 40.0 or from about 7.0 to about 35.0 orfrom about 8.0 to about 34.0 or about 10.0 to about 30.0. A preferredpackaging material 10 suitable for the container of the presentinvention has an opacity/caliper value ranging from about 3.8 to about16.0, or from about 3.9 to about 15.0 or from about 4.0 to about 13.0 orfrom about 4.2 to about 12.0.

It should also be realized by one of skill in the art that the packagingmaterial 10 of the present disclosure can be creatively decorated withindicium or indicia that coordinate the outer surface of the package 20and the a carton 21. Thus, it is believed that the bundle 16 of sheets22 of stacked and/or interleaved facial tissue paper contained withinexemplary package 20 can provide additional background and contribute tothe overall design in a manner that completely coordinates the outersurface of the package 20 and the carton 21. Thus, it is envisioned thatas each sheet of the bundle 16 of sheets 22 is sequentially withdrawnfrom the carton 21, the overall decoration provided on carton 21 canprovide for a differential opacity. In other words, the overall opacityof the carton 21 changes from a first opacity when the carton has allsheets 22 contained therein and at least a second opacity when anyportion of the sheets 22 contained therein have been removed therefrom.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical dimension and/or valuerecited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension and/orvalue is intended to mean both the recited dimension and/or value and afunctionally equivalent range surrounding that dimension and/or value.For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A parallelepiped container having a top wall, abottom wall, and at least one side wall, said container being formedfrom a fibrous structure, at least one wall of said fibrous structurehaving an opacity ranging from about 5.0 to about 45.0.
 2. The containerof claim 1 wherein said at least one wall of said fibrous structure hasan opacity ranging from about 6.0 to about 40.0.
 3. The container ofclaim 1 wherein said container has an Overall Package Height Reductionvalue of less than 22.7%.
 4. The container of claim 1 wherein said atleast one wall of said fibrous structure has a plate stiffness valueranging from about 1.4 N*mm to about 200 N*mm.
 5. The container of claim1 wherein said container is formed from a fibrous structure bonded to afilm material, said bonded material having a compressive pressure valueof greater than 2.61.
 6. The container of claim 1 wherein said fibrousstructure has a compression pressure to normalized compression caliperrelationship expressed by the equation y=−0.068 ln(x)+1.2219.
 7. Acontainer having a top wall, a bottom wall, and at least one side wall,said container being formed from a fibrous structure, said at least oneside wall having a plate stiffness value ranging from about 1.4 N*mm toabout 200 N*mm and at least one of said walls has an opacity rangingfrom about 5.0 to about 45.0.
 8. The container of claim 7 wherein saidplate stiffness value ranges from about 1.4 N*mm to about 50 N*mm. 9.The container of claim 8 wherein said opacity ranges from about 8.0.0 toabout 34.0.
 10. The container of claim 7 wherein said at least one wallof said fibrous structure has an opacity/caliper value ranging fromabout 3.8 to about 16.0.
 11. The container of claim 7 wherein saidcontainer has an Overall Package Height Reduction value of less than22.7%.
 12. The container of claim 7 wherein said container has anOverall Package Height Reduction value of less than 6.8%.
 13. Thecontainer of claim 7 wherein said container is formed from a fibrousstructure bonded to a film material, said bonded material having acompressive pressure value of greater than 2.61.
 14. The container ofclaim 7 wherein said fibrous structure has a compression pressure tonormalized compression caliper relationship expressed by the equationy=−0.068 ln(x)+1.2219.
 15. A container having a top wall, a bottom wall,and at least one side wall, said container being formed from a materialcomprising a fibrous structure bonded to a film material, said materialhaving an opacity/caliper value ranging from about 3.8 to about 16.0.16. The container of claim 15 wherein said plate stiffness value rangesfrom about 1.4 N*mm to about 50 N*mm.
 17. The container of claim 16wherein said plate stiffness value ranges from about 1.4 N*mm to about25 N*mm.
 18. The container of claim 15 wherein said top wall has a platestiffness value ranging from about 1.4 N*mm to about 200 N*mm.
 19. Thecontainer of claim 15 wherein said container has an Overall PackageHeight Reduction value of less than 22.7%.
 20. The container of claim 15wherein said container has an Overall Package Height Reduction value ofless than 6.8%.